Subscribe to this blog

Follow by Email

Search This Blog

On Breastfeeding

{chubby cheeks and small eyes, just like her Mama}

While pregnant, I did lots of reading on breastfeeding. About how difficult it may be. About how painful it may be. I never assumed that I would be completely successful at it, but there was no doubt that I would try.

As soon as the nurses cleaned up Anna and placed her on my chest, they immediately showed me how to let the baby latch on. Baby A took my breast like a champ and started sucking. I was doing it!

I was told to let baby latch on every 2-3 hours for 10-15 minutes per breast. Although I knew all about the correct way to latch on, executing it was another story. Incorrect latch on meant sore, cracked, bleeding nipples and that was exactly what happened. Days 0-2 were just awful. I dreaded every time when feeding time rolled around. It was hard and painful, but I dealt with it.

On the morning of Day 3, I found that my milk came in and busted out my little basic manual pump to give it a try. I realized that I have a decent amount of milk supply - enough to express 60ml - every 2-3 hours to feed Anna. It provided such relief. I was able to give my little girl breast milk without being in constant pain. From that day on, I have been pumping and, eventually, my sore/cracked/bleeding nipples healed.

So far so good. My milk supply is gradually increasing with the constant pumping and hubs can help with feeding as well. Although it's double the work, for the sake of my sanity, it's worth it.

Now that I have completely healed, I am thinking about letting the baby latch on again just to see and to keep the supply going. But when I think what may happen, I put it off again and again.

So although I am not breastfeeding Anna by her latching on, I am using the second best alternative...and all is going well.

Comments

Breast feeding is always the best! Sure hope you will be able to persevere for now. The worst bit will come when she starts teething though. My friend used to tell me how she would sob every time the baby latches on!

Blogging is about sharing. I just think that others may benefit from my experience. I don't think mothers who are going through breastfeeding would think it's TMI. At least I don't think that way when I read about their stories.

This is about life and breast feeding is a part of parenthood or at least an option anyways. I'm glad Joyce did the best she could and am even happier she found a workable solution. I've stuck my finger into little Anna's mouth and I swear she could've sucked the damn nail off. It's not easy stuff and the more info there is out there, the better.

@ All: Completely agree with mama here - it's important to share this information, it helps others. And for those of you who think this is tmi - let me guess, you don't have kids? and you didn't feel that way when your mom was feeding you (lucky for you, no one told her it was tmi). Women who breastfeed are contributing to the future of our society, and we should support them. They should never be made to feel like they are doing something strange.